Latching for a transceiver module

ABSTRACT

An optical transceiver may include a housing including a surface cutout. The surface cutout may be for receiving a locking tang from a cage and for being disengaged by a slide from an unlocking tool wherein the surface cutout is disposed on the housing at a position such that the surface cutout is entirely within the cage with respect to an electromagnetic interference (EMI) gasket of the cage when the optical transceiver is inserted into the cage.

RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/712,777, filed on Jul. 31, 2018,the content of which is incorporated by reference herein in itsentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to optical modules. More particularly,some aspects of the present disclosure relate to latching for an opticaltransceiver with reduced electromagnetic interference (EMI) emissionswhen plugged into a cage.

BACKGROUND

An optical module, such as an optical transceiver, may be inserted intoa cage as part of an optical communications system. A cage or a set ofcages within a relatively small space forming, for example, a rack mayinclude many optical modules, such as optical transmitters, opticalreceivers, and/or optical transceivers for the optical communicationssystem. As optical data rates increase, a quantity of optical modulesthat are plugged into the cage or set of cages may increase and/or anamount of electromagnetic interference (EMI) emitted by each opticalmodule may increase. EMI emissions from a first optical module may causeproblems for operation of a second optical module within a thresholdproximity of the first optical module. Alternatively, EMI emissions froma particular optical module in a particular cage may cause problems foroperation of other components of the optical communications systemwithin a threshold proximity of the particular optical module.

SUMMARY

An optical transceiver may include a housing including a surface cutout.The surface cutout may be for receiving a locking tang from a cage andfor being disengaged by a slide from an unlocking tool wherein thesurface cutout is disposed on the housing at a position such that thesurface cutout is entirely within the cage with respect to anelectromagnetic interference (EMI) gasket of the cage when the opticaltransceiver is inserted into the cage.

An optical module may include a housing including a surface cutout, thesurface cutout for engaging a tang of a cage and for being disengaged bya slide of an unlocking tool, wherein the optical module is insertableinto the cage such that the surface cutout engages with the tang andsuch that the surface cutout is disposed entirely within the cage withrespect to an EMI gasket of the cage, wherein the optical module isinsertable into the cage without the unlocking tool, and wherein theoptical module is shaped such that the unlocking tool is insertablebetween the housing and the EMI gasket of the cage to disengage the tangfrom the surface cutout.

An unlocking tool for an optical module may include a slide that is atleast partially independent of the optical module, the slide beinginsertable into a cage between an EMI gasket of the cage and a surfaceof the optical module to disengage a locking tang of the cage from acorresponding cutout of the optical module.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram of an existing optical module with an integratedunlocking tool in a cage.

FIGS. 2A-2E are diagrams of an example implementation described herein.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of an example process for locking and unlockingan optical module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description of example implementations refers tothe accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in differentdrawings may identify the same or similar elements.

In an example 100 illustrated in FIG. 1, a cage 120 may include an EMIgasket to prevent EMI emissions from an optical module 110. The EMIgasket may be located at position 160 in the cage 120 near an openingfor receiving the optical module 110. The optical module 110 may beinserted into the cage 120 such that a portion of the optical module 110(e.g., a rear of the optical module) extends past the EMI gasket intothe cage 120. The optical module 110 may include an integrated lockingand unlocking mechanism 130 (e.g., a slide) and 140 (e.g., a levermechanism) to enable the optical module 110 to be locked in positionwithin the cage 120. The integrated locking and unlocking mechanism 130and 140 may include a lever mechanism 140 connected to a set of slides130. The lever mechanism 140 may be located at a front end of theoptical module 110 and may connect to the set of slides 130. The set ofslides 130 may reside in recesses in the optical module 110. The set ofslides 130 and corresponding recesses originate near the front end ofthe optical module 110 and may extend toward the back end of the opticalmodule 110. The ends of the recesses may receive a locking tang of thecage, at location 150, to lock the optical module 110 once inserted intothe cage 120.

The lever mechanism 140 (e.g. a bail latch) may operate the set ofslides 130 to, for example, unlock the optical module 110 from the cage120. When the optical module 110 is inserted into a cage 120, the set ofslides 130, and recesses associated therewith, may extend from alocation outside of the EMI gasket (e.g., towards the front of theoptical module 110) of the cage 120 to a location inside of the EMIgasket (e.g., toward the rear of the optical module 110). Manipulationof the lever mechanism 140 outside the cage 120 moves the set of slides130 within the recesses inside the cage 120. The movement of the set ofslides 130 may disengage the locking tang or locking tangs from therecesses inside the cage 120 and beyond the EMI gasket. Disengaging thelocking tang may allow removal of the optical module 110 from the cage120.

However, a disadvantage of this example is that a gap exists between arecess and a corresponding slide 130 on each side of the optical module110. This gap may allow EMI leakage that may not be prevented by the EMIgasket. For example, EMI emissions may pass through the gap and maycause interference for other components. An additional disadvantage isthat the recesses may take up valuable space to accommodate the set ofslides 130, thereby limiting available space for other opticalcomponents within the optical module.

In contrast, according to some implementations described herein, anoptical module may be configured with a surface cutout instead of arecesses, where the surface cutout is disposed entirely within an EMIgasket of a cage (e.g., beyond the EMI gasket toward the rear of theoptical module) when the optical module is inserted into the cage. Theoptical module may be paired with an at least partially independentunlocking tool that may be removed from the optical module and/or fromthe cage when the optical module is to operate. In this way, the EMIgasket is enabled to form an improved EMI seal around a surface of theoptical module, thereby reducing EMI emission leakage. In this way,performance of an optical communications system is improved relative toa permanently attached integrated locking and unlocking mechanism.Furthermore, by providing an independent unlocking tool, the unlockingtool and/or the surface cutout may be configured to form a lock and keyarrangement, thereby improving security by reducing a likelihood oftheft of optical modules that are plugged into cages. Moreover, byreducing a size of the surface cutout and locating the surface cutoutentirely within the EMI gasket, an amount of available space for otheroptical components within the optical module may be increased. Forexample, an implementation may save between approximately 100 cubicmillimeters (mm³) and 200 mm³ of space in the optical module.

FIGS. 2A-2E are diagrams of an example implementation 200 describedherein. As shown in FIG. 2A, example implementation 200 may include anoptical module 210 and a cage 220.

In some implementations, optical module 210 may be an opticaltransceiver (e.g., an optoelectronic transceiver) of an opticalcommunications system (e.g. a telecommunications system or a datacommunications system). For example, optical module 210 may be a part ofan endpoint (e.g., a node) of the optical communications system fortransmission and/or reception of information via the opticalcommunications system and an electrical communications system. In someimplementations, optical module 210 may include a housing 211. Forexample, optical module 210 may include a housing 211 that encases oneor more optical components of optical module 210, such as one or moreoptical transmitters, optical receivers, laser diodes, photodetectors,drivers, planar lightwave chips, silicon photonics modules, and/or thelike. In some implementations, housing 211 may include a surface cutout212. For example, housing 211 may include an indentation, a groove, agap, and/or the like that is to engage with a locking tang 221 of cage220 if the optical module 210 is inserted into the cage 220. In someimplementations, surface cutout 212 may be disposed on housing 211 at aposition such that, when optical module 210 is inserted into cage 220,surface cutout 212 is entirely within cage 220 with respect to an EMIgasket 222. For example, the position of the surface cutout 212 may bebetween a rear end of the optical module 210 and a region of the opticalmodule 210 that aligns with an EMI gasket 222 of a cage 220 when theoptical module 210 is inserted into the cage 220.

In some implementations, optical module 210 may include multiple surfacecutouts. For example, optical module 210 may include a first surfacecutout 212 on a first side of optical module 210 to receive a firstlocking tang 221, and may include a second surface cutout 212 on asecond side of optical module 210 to receive a second locking tang 221.In some implementations, a surface cutout 212 may be associated with aparticular depth. For example, a depth of surface cutout 212 may be lessthan approximately 5 millimeters (mm), less than approximately 2 mm,between approximately 0.5 mm and 2 mm, and/or the like. In someimplementations, the depth of surface cutout 212 may be a thresholddepth to secure locking tang 221. Additionally, or alternatively,surface cutout 212 may be associated with a length of betweenapproximately 8 mm and 26 mm, a height of between approximately 1 mm and9 mm, and/or the like. Surface cutout 212 enables a greater usableinternal volume of optical module 210 compared to, for example, recessesassociated with slides 130 shown in FIG. 1 based on a volume of surfacecutout 212 being less than that of the recesses.

In some implementations, cage 220 may be a component that receivesoptical module 210. For example, cage 220 may be a portion of a rackcomponent (e.g., that includes a plurality of cages 220). In someimplementations, a portion of cage 220 may form locking tang 221. Forexample, cage 220 may include a flange that is angled to engage withsurface cutout 212 of housing 211. In this case, surface cutout 212 maynot be disengagable from locking tang 221 without use of an unlockingtool, as described herein.

In some implementations, cage 220 may include EMI gasket 222 at anopening 223 of cage 220. For example, cage 220 may include an EMI gasket222 that is to form a continuous EMI seal around housing 211 (e.g., witha surface of housing 211) to prevent EMI leakage from within cage 220.In this case, EMI gasket 222 may be disposed between opening 223 andlocking tang 221 to prevent EMI emissions associated with surface cutout212 when surface cutout 212 is engaged with locking tang 221 (e.g., whenoptical module 210 is inserted into cage 220). In some implementations,EMI gasket 222 may include a set of flanges. For example, EMI gasket 222may include a set of flanges that are sized to enable optical module 210to be inserted into cage 220, but to form an EMI seal by pressingagainst a surface of housing 211 when optical module 210 is insertedinto cage 220.

As shown in FIG. 2B, and by reference number 230, optical module 210 maybe inserted into cage 220. For example, optical module 210 may beinserted into opening 223 of cage 220 to cause locking tang 221 toengage with surface cutout 212, as shown by reference number 231. Inthis case, surface cutout 212 may receive locking tang 221 and maythereby retain optical module 210 within cage 220. In this way, opticalmodule 210 may be locked into position in cage 220. As shown byreference number 231, EMI gasket 222 is disposed between opening 223 ofcage 220 and surface cutout 212 of optical module 210. In this way, EMIgasket 222 may prevent leakage of EMI emissions. Optical module 210enables an improved EMI seal when an unlocking tool, as described inmore detail below, is not present because a gap between the unlockingtool and the optical module (e.g., the recesses corresponding to slides130) has been removed, thereby reducing EMI leakage.

As shown in FIG. 2C, an unlocking tool 240 may be aligned to opticalmodule 210 and cage 220. Unlocking tool 240 may include one or moreslides 241 (which may also be referred to as arms). The slides 241 maybe aligned to sides of optical module 210 to enable unlocking tool 240to be inserted into cage 220 such that a slide 241 is disposed betweensurface cutout 212 and locking tang 221. In some implementations,unlocking tool 240 may include a pull 242 that may enable a user toinsert unlocking tool 240 into and/or remove unlocking tool 240 from EMIgasket 222. In some implementations, slides 241 are associated with lessthan a threshold thickness. For example, slides 241 may be associatedwith a thickness of less than 0.2 mm to enable slides 241 to be insertedbetween a surface of housing 211 and EMI gasket 222.

In some implementations, unlocking tool 240 may be independent fromoptical module 210. For example, unlocking tool 240 may be a separatebody that is not attached to optical module 210. Additionally, oralternatively, unlocking tool 240 may be partially independent fromoptical module 210. For example, unlocking tool 240 may be separate fromoptical module 210 when optical module 210 is operating within cage 220(e.g., unlocking tool 240 is not fixed in a gap between EMI gasket 222and housing 211), but may remain attached to optical module 210 by, forexample, a dongle, a cord, and/or the like. In this case, unlocking tool240 may, for example, hang from a cable of optical module 210 whenoptical module 210 is in use.

In some implementations, unlocking tool 240 may be keyed to surfacecutout 212 and/or locking tang 221. For example, unlocking tool 240 andsurface cutout 212 and/or locking tang 221 may include a set of matchedgrooves, indentations, and/or another type of keying mechanism to matchunlocking tool 240 to surface cutout 212 and/or locking tang 221. Insome implementations, unlocking tool 240 may be a change key. Forexample, unlocking tool 240 may be specific to optical module 210 and/orcage 220, and may not be usable to remove other optical modules 210 fromother cages 220. In some implementations, unlocking tool 240 may be amaster key. For example, unlocking tool 240 may be general to a set ofoptical modules 210 and/or cages 220 and may be usable to remove eachoptical module 210 from each cage 220 of a particular set of opticalmodules 210 and cages 220. In this way, unlocking tool 240, opticalmodule 210, and cage 220 may provide a security feature, therebyreducing a likelihood of theft of optical modules 210 from cages 220 byunauthorized actors.

In some implementations, unlocking tool 240 may be metal, plastic,another material, or a combination thereof. In some implementations, theslides 241 of unlocking tool 240 are smooth, thin, and/or rigid toimprove insertion between optical module 210 and cage 220 or betweenoptical module 210 and EMI gasket 222.

As shown in FIG. 2D, and by reference number 250, unlocking tool 240 maybe inserted into cage 220 around optical module 210, with slides 241being inserted between a surface of housing 211 and a surface of EMIgasket 222. In this case, EMI gasket 222 may be movable (e.g., flexible)to allow slides 241 to be inserted. For example, EMI gasket 222 mayinclude a set of flanges 251, as shown, that may be displaced whenslides 241 are inserted into cage 220. As shown by reference number 252,based on slides 241 being inserted into cage 220, locking tang 221 isdisplaced such that locking tang 221 is disengaged from surface cutout212. In this way, optical module 210 is unlocked from cage 220.

As shown in FIG. 2E, and by reference number 260, unlocking tool 240 andoptical module 210 may be removed from cage 220. For example, based onunlocking tool 240 decoupling locking tang 221 from surface cutout 212,optical module 210 may be removed from cage 220. In someimplementations, optical module 210 may include a removal handle. Forexample, optical module 210 may include a handle that extends from arear of optical module 210 to ease a difficulty in pulling opticalmodule 210 from cage 220 (or pushing optical module 210 into cage 220).In some implementations, optical module 210 may include a guard toprotect an optical port (e.g., a local connector or little connector(LC) port). In this case, the removal handle may extend to partiallycover and protect the optical port, thereby forming a guard. As shown byreference number 261, based on removing optical module 210 and unlockingtool 240 from cage 220, locking tang 221 returns to an initial positionfrom a displaced position.

As indicated above, FIGS. 2A-2E are provided merely as one or moreexamples. Other examples may differ from what is described with regardto FIGS. 2A-2E.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of an example process 300 for coupling anddecoupling an optical transceiver and a cage. In some implementations,one or more process blocks of FIG. 3 may be performed using an unlockingtool.

As shown in FIG. 3, process 300 may include inserting an opticaltransceiver module into a cage (block 310). For example, to couple oneor more devices associated with the cage to the optical transceivermodule, an operator or device may insert the optical transceiver moduleinto the cage. In some implementations, the optical transceiver modulemay be inserted into the cage without using the unlocking tool. Forexample, the optical transceiver module may be configured to displace alocking tang of the cage during insertion until the locking tang alignswith a surface cutout of the optical transceiver module. In this case,when the locking tang aligns with the surface cutout, the locking tangmay return to an original position or within a threshold amount of theoriginal position, thereby coupling with the surface cutout and lockingthe optical transceiver module in the cage. In some implementations, anunlocking tool may be used to insert the optical transceiver module intothe cage. For example, the unlocking tool may be inserted into the cageto displace the locking tang, the optical transceiver module may beinserted into the cage, and the unlocking tool may be removed from thecage to enable the locking tang to engage with a surface cutout of theoptical transceiver module. In some implementations, after beinginserted into the cage, the optical transceiver module may operate for aperiod of time in an optical communications network.

As further shown in FIG. 3, process 300 may include inserting anunlocking tool into the cage (block 320). For example, an operator ordevice may insert the unlocking tool into the cage to unlock the opticaltransceiver module from the cage and to enable removal of the opticaltransceiver module from the cage. In this case, the unlocking tool maydisplace a position of the locking tang such that the locking tang is nolonger coupled to the surface cutout of the optical transceiver module.In this way, the optical transceiver module may be unlocked from thecage.

As further shown in FIG. 3, process 300 may include removing the opticaltransceiver module from the cage (block 330). For example, an operatoror device may remove the optical transceiver module from the cage basedon using the unlocking tool to unlock the optical transceiver modulefrom the cage. In some implementations, the unlocking tool may beremoved with the optical transceiver module. For example, the unlockingtool may be disposed against a surface of the optical transceiver moduleduring removal of the optical transceiver module. Additionally, oralternatively, the unlocking tool may remain disposed within the cagewhen the optical transceiver module is removed. In this case, theunlocking tool may be removed after removal of the optical transceivermodule, or may remain in position in the cage until another opticaltransceiver module is to be inserted into the cage.

Although FIG. 3 shows example blocks of process 300, in someimplementations, process 300 may include additional blocks, fewerblocks, different blocks, or differently arranged blocks than thosedepicted in FIG. 3. Additionally, or alternatively, two or more of theblocks of process 300 may be performed in parallel.

The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description, but isnot intended to be exhaustive or to limit the implementations to theprecise forms disclosed. Modifications and variations may be made inlight of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practice of theimplementations.

As used herein, satisfying a threshold may, depending on the context,refer to a value being greater than the threshold, more than thethreshold, higher than the threshold, greater than or equal to thethreshold, less than the threshold, fewer than the threshold, lower thanthe threshold, less than or equal to the threshold, equal to thethreshold, or the like.

Even though particular combinations of features are recited in theclaims and/or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are notintended to limit the disclosure of various implementations. In fact,many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recitedin the claims and/or disclosed in the specification. Although eachdependent claim listed below may directly depend on only one claim, thedisclosure of various implementations includes each dependent claim incombination with every other claim in the claim set.

No element, act, or instruction used herein should be construed ascritical or essential unless explicitly described as such. Also, as usedherein, the articles “a” and “an” are intended to include one or moreitems, and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Further, asused herein, the article “the” is intended to include one or more itemsreferenced in connection with the article “the” and may be usedinterchangeably with “the one or more.” Furthermore, as used herein, theterm “set” is intended to include one or more items (e.g., relateditems, unrelated items, a combination of related and unrelated items,etc.), and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Where onlyone item is intended, the phrase “only one” or similar language is used.Also, as used herein, the terms “has,” “have,” “having,” or the like areintended to be open-ended terms. Further, the phrase “based on” isintended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly statedotherwise. Also, as used herein, the term “or” is intended to beinclusive when used in a series and may be used interchangeably with“and/or,” unless explicitly stated otherwise (e.g., if used incombination with “either” or “only one of”).

What is claimed is:
 1. An optical transceiver, comprising: a housingincluding a surface cutout, the surface cutout for receiving a lockingtang from a cage and for being disengaged by a slide from an unlockingtool, wherein the surface cutout is disposed on the housing at aposition such that the surface cutout is entirely within the cage withrespect to an electromagnetic interference (EMI) gasket of the cage whenthe optical transceiver is inserted into the cage.
 2. The opticaltransceiver of claim 1, wherein the surface cutout receives the lockingtang to retain the optical transceiver within the cage.
 3. The opticaltransceiver of claim 1, wherein the optical transceiver is independentfrom the unlocking tool, such that the optical transceiver is disposablewithin the cage without the unlocking tool being disposed within thecage.
 4. The optical transceiver of claim 1, wherein a surface of thehousing forms a continuous EMI seal with the EMI gasket.
 5. The opticaltransceiver of claim 1, wherein the surface cutout is a first surfacecutout on a first side of the housing for receiving a first locking tangof the cage, and wherein the housing includes a second surface cutout ona second side of the housing for receiving a second locking tang of thecage.
 6. The optical transceiver of claim 1, wherein a depth of thesurface cutout is between approximately 0.5 millimeters (mm) and 2 mm.7. The optical transceiver of claim 1, wherein the surface cutout iskeyed to the unlocking tool.
 8. An optical module, comprising: a housingincluding a surface cutout, the surface cutout for engaging a tang of acage and for being disengaged by a slide of an unlocking tool, whereinthe optical module is insertable into the cage such that the surfacecutout engages with the tang and such that the surface cutout isdisposed entirely within the cage with respect to an electromagneticinterference (EMI) gasket of the cage, wherein the optical module isinsertable into the cage without the unlocking tool, and wherein theoptical module is shaped such that the unlocking tool is insertablebetween the housing and the EMI gasket of the cage to disengage the tangfrom the surface cutout.
 9. The optical module of claim 8, wherein thesurface cutout is not disengagable from the tang of the cage without theunlocking tool.
 10. The optical module of claim 8, wherein the opticalmodule is independent of the unlocking tool.
 11. The optical module ofclaim 8, wherein the surface cutout is at least one of: an indentation,a groove, or a gap in a surface of the housing.
 12. The optical moduleof claim 8, wherein a depth of the surface cutout is less thanapproximately 2 millimeters.
 13. The optical module of claim 8, whereina length of the surface cutout is between approximately 8 millimeters(mm) and 26 mm.
 14. The optical module of claim 8, wherein a height ofthe surface cutout is between approximately 1 millimeter (mm) to 9 mm.15. An unlocking tool for an optical module, comprising: a slide that isat least partially independent of the optical module, the slide beinginsertable into a cage between an electromagnetic interference (EMI)gasket of the cage and a surface of the optical module to disengage alocking tang of the cage from a corresponding cutout of the opticalmodule.
 16. The unlocking tool of claim 15, wherein the unlocking toolis a change key specific to the optical module.
 17. The unlocking toolof claim 15, wherein the unlocking tool is a master key general to aplurality of optical modules.
 18. The unlocking tool of claim 15,wherein the slide is partially independent and is attachable to theoptical module such that the unlocking tool is not fixed in a gapbetween a surface of the EMI gasket and the surface of the opticalmodule.
 19. The unlocking tool of claim 15, wherein the slide isindependent such that the slide is not attached to the optical module.20. The unlocking tool of claim 15, wherein a thickness of the slide isless than 0.2 millimeters (mm).